First class cruise aboard Danubio Azul

Afternoon

Santa Cruz Island, Black Turtle Cove, Santa Cruz

In this vast tidal lagoon system that extends nearly a mile inland, we encounter four distinct species of mangroves. As we navigate through the maze-like channels in our panga, we’ll come across numerous turtles, various types of herons, along with sharks and rays. The experience feels almost unearthly, as if we’re journeying back to the dawn of time.

Afternoon

Santa Fe

Santa Fe Island features white sandy beaches bordered by sea lion colonies. As we follow the island’s trail, we pass through a unique cactus forest that provides a habitat for the Santa Fe land iguanas, the largest iguanas in the islands. This island is home to numerous species, including the Galapagos hawk, Galapagos snakes, rice rats (one of the few rodent species native to the Galapagos), various fish species, and one of the archipelago’s four mockingbird species.

Afternoon

San Cristóbal Island, Cerro Brujo, San Cristobal

As we approach the shore from our pangas, we’re immediately awed by the grandeur of the towering cliffs of ‘Cerro Brujo’ We can spend time relaxing on the beach alongside sea lions, snorkel from the shore, or take a stroll to a secluded lagoon where we may encounter black-necked stilts, ruddy turnstones, whimbrels, and white-cheeked pintails.

Afternoon

Floreana Island, Cormorant Point, Floreana Island

Upon arrival to Punta Cormorant, a keen observer will notice that olivine, a volcanic crystal, has given the dark beach a delicate green tint. Our walk leads us past island-endemic Scalesia plants to a large, shallow lagoon that is often home to a striking group of pink greater flamingos. We then continue through a palo santo tree forest, eventually reaching a powdery white beach that serves as a nesting site for green turtles. As we wade barefoot in the shallow waters, we may spot diamond stingrays and white-tipped reef sharks.

Afternoon

Floreana Island, Devil's Crown, Floreana Island

One of the most popular snorkeling spots in the islands, Devil’s Crown is an eroded volcanic cone teeming with a rich variety of fish and marine life. We’ll swim alongside large schools of yellow-tailed surgeonfish, salemas, and creolefish, and with some luck, we may even encounter turtles, spotted eagle rays, parrotfish, and hammerhead sharks! The rugged ‘crown’ serves as a roosting site for boobies, noddies, tropicbirds, and frigatebirds.

Afternoon

Isabela Island, Urbina Bay, Isabela

Urbina Bay is situated at the base of Alcedo Volcano on the west coast, nestled between Tagus Cove and Elizabeth Bay. In 1954, a significant uplift occurred here, causing the land to rise more than 16 feet. This geological shift extended the coastline by half a mile, leaving marine life stranded on the newly formed shore. The bay is also an excellent spot for snorkeling.

Afternoon

Fernandina Island, Punta Espinoza, Fernandina

From Espinosa Point, visitors can enjoy expansive views of Isabela Island across the Bolivar Channel, a region renowned for having some of the richest diversity of endemic marine life in the Galapagos. This area is home to the largest, most primitive-looking marine iguanas, which can be seen alongside sea lions and Sally Lightfoot crabs. Fernandina offers an excellent chance to observe flightless cormorants at their nesting sites, as well as Galapagos penguins and the island’s apex predator, the Galapagos hawk. The island’s landscape is primarily covered by Pa-hoe-hoe and AA lava formations, and inland vegetation is sparse, with only a few brachycereus cacti. Along the shore, mangroves can be found.

Afternoon

Bartholomew

Wet landing. Egas Port features a black volcanic sand beach, which was visited by Darwin in 1835. The trail begins with volcanic ash (eroded tuff) and continues over rough terrain made up of basaltic volcanic rock. The striking, layered landscape along Santiago’s shore is home to a variety of wildlife, including the unusual yellow-crowned night heron, as well as marine creatures like lobsters, starfish, and marine iguanas grazing on algae beds alongside Sally Lightfoot crabs. It’s easy to spot colonies of endemic fur seals swimming in the cool, volcanic rock pools.

Afternoon

Baltra

Baltra airport